Canada Immigration & K1 Guide for Montreal

[pocheros 101]

Since it seems that the visa process seems to change quite often, is there anyone that could confirm that the info detailed in this thread is up to date and accurate? It's a fantastic list and has helped me tons, but I want to make sure I'm not missing some possible new rule.

Which info are you curious about specifically?

As far as I can tell the first post contains correct information except that some of the panel physicians have changed. (Just the one in Vancouver I think?) I believe you also have to register with DHL when you do packet 3 because the checklist asks for your reference number now.

For a quick reference, here is Montreal's packet 3: http://photos.state.gov/libraries/canada/303578/montreal/packet3-k1-mtl.pdf and packet 4: http://photos.state.gov/libraries/canada/303578/montreal/packet4-montreal.pdf

Edited February 9, 2013 by pocheros

[mapleleafmanny 11]

Which info are you curious about specifically?

As far as I can tell the first post contains correct information except that some of the panel physicians have changed. (Just the one in Vancouver I think?) I believe you also have to register with DHL when you do packet 3 because the checklist asks for your reference number now.

For a quick reference, here is Montreal's packet 3: http://photos.state.gov/libraries/canada/303578/montreal/packet3-k1-mtl.pdf and packet 4: http://photos.state.gov/libraries/canada/303578/montreal/packet4-montreal.pdf

None of the info in specific, just the overall information (like phone numbers, addresses).

[mapleleafmanny 11]

3. DOS

After you get word that the petition is headed for Montreal, give it a few days (I’d say minimum a week) and you can start calling the Department of State (DOS). Their number is: 1-202-663-1225 and to get to a visa specialist, it’s 1 and then 0. This operator will want your MTL # and sometimes both the names and dates of birth for both petitioner and beneficiary. At this stage, you’ll go through the follow things with DOS:

-Has your petition arrived in Montreal? If it has not, there’s nothing to do yet. Montreal is notorious for delays in its mailroom so even if you think it’s unrealistic it hasn’t physically arrived yet, chances are it’s sitting somewhere waiting to be logged. Until DOS gives the word the petition is in Montreal, you just have to sit tight.

-Once the case has arrived, you can ask DOS is Packet 3 has been sent out. Even if it hasn’t, you can prepare and send Packet 3 yourself, the important thing is to make sure Montreal has your case before you send them anything.

Ok, so I called today, and they've received my file from NVC. P3 hasn't been mailed out yet and therein lies my confusion. Everywhere I read says that you have to wait till P3 is at least mailed out to send in your P3 documents to Montreal. Except right here where it says I can mail things in if Montreal simply has my case, even if P3 hasn't been mailed out yet. So what's the correct answer? If the above is accurate, then I could mail things out tomorrow...if not, I'll have to keep waiting.

[Jim&Marie 1]

3. DOS

After you get word that the petition is headed for Montreal, give it a few days (I’d say minimum a week) and you can start calling the Department of State (DOS). Their number is: 1-202-663-1225 and to get to a visa specialist, it’s 1 and then 0. This operator will want your MTL # and sometimes both the names and dates of birth for both petitioner and beneficiary. At this stage, you’ll go through the follow things with DOS:

-Has your petition arrived in Montreal? If it has not, there’s nothing to do yet. Montreal is notorious for delays in its mailroom so even if you think it’s unrealistic it hasn’t physically arrived yet, chances are it’s sitting somewhere waiting to be logged. Until DOS gives the word the petition is in Montreal, you just have to sit tight.

-Once the case has arrived, you can ask DOS is Packet 3 has been sent out. Even if it hasn’t, you can prepare and send Packet 3 yourself, the important thing is to make sure Montreal has your case before you send them anything.

Ok, so I called today, and they've received my file from NVC. P3 hasn't been mailed out yet and therein lies my confusion. Everywhere I read says that you have to wait till P3 is at least mailed out to send in your P3 documents to Montreal. Except right here where it says I can mail things in if Montreal simply has my case, even if P3 hasn't been mailed out yet. So what's the correct answer? If the above is accurate, then I could mail things out tomorrow...if not, I'll have to keep waiting.

Go ahead and mail it ! That is what I did in November and they ended up emailing me for some information and I was able to get the packet 4 right from them in an email ! We never got a Packet 3 or 4 in the mail. The most disappointing thing was that after being super prepared and timely ( thanks to all the great information here ) , our first appointment available was March 26. So after waiting 7 months for Vermont, now we have an additional 5 months from Montreal. I followed this Montreal guide almost exactly and all the information is still accurate, except, DHL is now LOOMIS . SO we are waiting 5 more weeks until our interview and hopefully she will finally come here in early April. Good luck ! Be proactive but polite and I wish you a FAST interview ! Jim

[pocheros 101]

P3 simply has to be logged in order to mail them the forms. Just call DoS and ask if P3 has been put together for you yet. Basically you want to know if Montreal has give your case the greenlight to proceed. It doesn't have to be mailed out yet, just in the stage where Montreal has decided to mail it out to you.

Edited February 13, 2013 by pocheros

[mapleleafmanny 11]

P3 simply has to be logged in order to mail them the forms. Just call DoS and ask if P3 has been put together for you yet. Basically you want to know if Montreal has give your case the greenlight to proceed. It doesn't have to be mailed out yet, just in the stage where Montreal has decided to mail it out to you.

Ok, so then I'm be mailing it out too quickly if I sent it tomorrow and they haven't told me it's logged yet? All they said was that it had arrived from NVC. Would it be really taboo or what would happen if the documents arrived before it's logged? How long does it take to get logged?

[pocheros 101]

Ok, so then I'm be mailing it out too quickly if I sent it tomorrow and they haven't told me it's logged yet? All they said was that it had arrived from NVC. Would it be really taboo or what would happen if the documents arrived before it's logged? How long does it take to get logged?

Well, I think the reasoning is it's possible (though unlikely) to get an RFE at this stage, before you get P3. So I would wait until DOS says it's logged. I don't think it takes too long, maybe a few weeks at most? My timeline indicates it took 2 weeks.

Edited February 13, 2013 by pocheros

[mapleleafmanny 11]

Well, I called the embassy before actually mailing out P3 today, and they said P3 had actually been mailed out. lol, so no need to worry about whether or not I'm sending it in pre-maturely

[crockies99 0]

4. Preparing Packet 3

Waiting for P3 to physically arrive can be a fruitless task. Many people never get it, sometimes only the petitioner gets it, sometimes it shows up months later. If you want to expedite the process, don’t wait for it. There’s nothing including in Packet 3 that isn’t available on Montreal’s website: http://montreal.usco...ument=visa_pkt3

Since even the website can be a little confusing, this is what you send back (all forms available above at Montreal’s website):

Signed Checklist

DS-160 x 1

DS-156K x 1

DS-230 x 1

DS-156 x 2

US style passport photos of the beneficiary x 2

Many have found it helpful to also include a very brief cover letter summarizing the contents, providing an email address and re-iterating the MTL case #.

(If you are doing a K2 as well, don’t forget the forms for them!)

Is this info still relevant?

If so, we want to do this instead of waiting, but I wanted to check and make sure first. There aren't any new procedures or any new forms since this was last edited?

[crockies99 0]

Also, another question is the:

DS-230.

In line 14 of this document. It asks for "Spouses Name"

Problem is we aren't married yet. So how is this approached. There isn't anyplace to put my name on the document. I am the American. She is the Canadian and it seems like I should put my name on the the Spouse section. BUT if I say I am a spouse, aren't we saying we are actually married, when we aren't?

The whole idea of K1 visa is to get married after the visa, so I am confused as to what to do with this form.

[pocheros 101]

As always, one should check official sources for updates on procedures and forms. Here is montreal's official packet 3: http://photos.state.gov/libraries/canada/303578/montreal/packet3-k1-mtl.pdf

VJ also has examples forms at the top among the other links. K1s put "none" for the DS-230 http://www.visajourney.com/examples/Form-DS-230.pdf

Edited March 20, 2013 by pocheros

[Buxi&Dusk 6]

Quick question:

Does the birth certificate from Ontario have to be the "long form" one?

I'm trying to get documents ready, like that one and the police certificate.

Thanks in advance

[mapleleafmanny 11]

Quick question:

Does the birth certificate from Ontario have to be the "long form" one?

I'm trying to get documents ready, like that one and the police certificate.

Thanks in advance

Yes, you need the long form birth certificate.

[Cliff&Liz 10]

Great Information! This site has been amazing and saved us $$$$ on lawyer fees!

I agree. Until I found this site I was totally in the dark.

[Buxi&Dusk 6]

Yes, you need the long form birth certificate.

Thanks!